Wando's title run also a milestone for man behind the microphone

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) - It's been a history-making run forthe Wando boys' basketball team and their first trip to the state title hasbeen quite a journey.

But those at home in Charleston can listen to the game onthe road on ESPN Radio. When Ted Byrne takes the microphone, it will be amilestone in a very different journey.

For a guy who's called hundreds of games, there is somethingspecial about Friday night.

"It's fun, exciting. I love high school sports and I get achance to call history," he said.

His trip to the microphone is a good bit longer than thehundred-mile drive up Interstate 26 to Columbia the Warriors will make. That'sbecause Byrne is just now settling back into his old life behind the mic.

He's been absent for the last year and a half.

"I feel energized. I kind of got a shot of adrenaline to dothis," he said. "I like to say I have cancer, cancer doesn't have me. That's mymentality getting through it. You can get through anything if you have a strongwill and a strong mind."

That's a bit of an understatement. In September 2012, Byrnewas diagnosed with non-Hodgkins large cell lymphoma.

"I'm in remission now - that's the good news. The bad newsis it can't be cured, but they can treat it. I can either roll up in a ball orhave a linebacker mentality with my head on a swivel - that's what I've chosento do," he said.

Three surgeries and several chemotherapy treatments havezapped Byrne's hair, but luckily for Warriors fans everywhere, his voice isstill intact.

Byrne is back. He's a longtime Mount Pleasant resident whoknows what this game means to the community.

"I am feeling recharged, regenerated like I have anotherpurpose - to do this game," Byrne said. "Once the buzzer sounds and the game isover on Friday, I may be wiped - I'm certain I will - but the show must go onand we'll try to give you a good one."

Wando takes on Hillcrest at 8:30 p.m. Friday in Columbia. Byrnecan be heard calling the play-by-play on 98.9.